Rhythm

Monday's are "30 minute easy" days, at least for now. So, I decided I really needed to focus on that because I've been getting frustrated with my pace and breathing. I think I've been starting out my runs focused on my 1:1 intervals and not finding a rhythm and pace that I can sustain for a solid 30 minutes. So, Monday was rise and shine at 6am, stretch, walk a good pace for 2 minutes to get my breathing steady and my muscles warmed up and run for a solid 30 at a pace that I could sustain. It worked. It probably also helped that it wasn't 95 degrees out either. So, I found my rhythm or at least the one that worked for me on Monday given all the variables - lack of sleep, weather, and needing to get done and home in time to get Zach up and us both out the door on time. I wish I could pay more attention to that in my life. Rhythm. A steady one that isn't always insisting on getting all the things checked off the list in my life or defined by everyone else's standards. I think this Marathon thing represents a lot of things for me. Some of those things continue to come to me during my runs - it's a lot of time spent living inside your head. I figure there are people out there that don't think I can do this. And, for those people, I'm actually thankful. Because it's been those people most of my life that have (unknowingly) helped me do things that I never thought I could. During college, I had the dean of my department tell me I'd never get the grades I needed to get the degree I wanted. I will never forget that conversation, that room, or that feeling. While he probably never thought about that conversation again after he walked out of the room, it has never left me. It was one of the most discouraging moments in my life, but it turned out to be one of the most rewarding. I got the degree I wanted and I've found ways to use it with purpose. In ways that I hope make a difference.

The Midnight Hour

The fundraiser gig turned out very well! Between tips and wages, we were able to earn $262. Oddly enough, that is the equivalent of $10/mile for the marathon. Not a bad deal. Cathy and Kim were awesome - thanks ladies! It was a long 2 nights but we ran one heck of a booth. Did you know they still make Hudy Delight in Cincinnati? I think people bought it for the sheer pleasure of remembering the good 'ol days - like the days in college when everything was a strategy in economics and...beer was beer. Yep, we rocked. Our favorite moment of the weekend - the cross dressing gentleman trying to pull off a denim skirt, matching flats, pantyhose, ankle bracelet, and ruby stud earrings. He was drinking Hudy.

Today was a 7:30am group injury prevention clinic and run. It was hot. Come November/December, it will be hard to remember running on days with heat advisories. I have to think that October/November will be awesome running weather. Heat indexes of 105 degrees - not my game.

When you speak too soon...

Yesterday I mentioned in my post that I hadn't missed a day of training since it started. That was yesterday. I missed my first day today. I set my alarm to get up at 6am and get my workout in but then I hit snooze a few times, then I got worried I wouldn't fit it in and be able to pick Zach up and get him to school on his first day, so I thought I would put it off till tonight. Well, all day today I was cold. Granted it was like 101 degrees outside, but I was going around wishing I had socks to put on my feet and was drinking hot tea at 3 in the afternoon (and it wasn't "tea time" or anything). Not a good sign. I'm praying I'm not coming down w/ something. I need to go take some aspirin. So...I missed my first day. I know it probably won't be my last, but I didn't want to break my rhythm. This weekend I, along w/ 2 fabulous friends that "volunteered" to help me, are working a festival from 4-midnight on Friday and Saturday and the money/tips we receive go towards my fundraising goal. I have our group run at 7am on Saturday. I can't be sick. I'm not sick, I'm not sick, I'm not sick...

The First of Many Miles

Welcome! I setup this blog to track my marathon journey and share my progress towards my goal. Perhaps no one but me will find it all that exciting but then this is all about me. :) I knew I had officially lost my mind when I picked the colors for this blog. If you know me at all - I'm not a pink person. Neutrals, black, eggplant (my fav!), anything but pastels, with the exception of yellow - it's just not right if you don't like yellow.

Anyhow, this blog is not about my color preferences, it's about my journey to finish a marathon. I have no idea what possessed me to do this. I think I found myself at another one of those transitional places in life and the flyer came in the mail on just right the day. The last time I was in transitional places, I found myself getting a tattoo and going skydiving. Of course a marathon would be the next likely option! I turn 40 next year. Hmmm. I haven't turned 39 yet actually, but I'm not looking forward to either birthday. There is always that question - am I where I thought I would be at (insert age)? My first thought is a resounding no. I have many things to be thankful for but I didn't think the picture would necessarily look like this. Life has taken many twists and turns - hence "the dance". I was reading a book on running last night and it was talking about how most beginning runners make the mistake of thinking in terms of miles instead of minutes. Meaning, "I need to get out there and run 2 miles today", instead of focusing on endurance which will build miles. I realize that I often look at my life like that - focusing on the years going by, and feeling like this or that should have happened by now, vs. focusing on the moments that have made up those years and the moments in the here and now. There have been a lot of great moments. And, the "not so great ones" have always taught me something.

I've been officially training for 2 weeks now - 6 days a week. I haven't missed a day of my training schedule - trust me, no one is more shocked than me! I have always thought that the feeling of finishing a marathon has got to be unlike anything else and I've envied people that had the courage to do one. So here I go...